Liquefied petroleum gas dispensing system



March 7, 1950 H. L. NORWAY LIQUEFlED PETROLEUM GAs DIsPENsING SYSTEMFiled Sept. 5, 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Wrth! mg NQ KD CQ INVENTOR. l/

March 7, 1950 H. l.. NORWAY LIQUEFIED PETROLI-:uu GAS DISPENSING sys'rmFiled sept. s, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 "llumllll" INVENTOR. 8495/40/62/Q/w/a D /1/ 5- .a )f7/lg( Patented Mar. 7, 1950- LIQUEFIED PETROLEUMGAS DISPENSING SYSTEM Harold L. Norway, Evanston, lll., assigner to TheBastian Blessing Company, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of IllinoisApplication September 3, 1943, Serial No. 501,074

Claims. (Cl. 62-1) l The present invention relates' to liqueed petroleumgas dispensing` systems and is a continuation in part of my applicationwhich matured into Patent No. 2,400,570 on May 21, 1946, to coverdivisible subject matter therein.

The petroleum product employed in the system 2 an improved means fordetermining the level of liquid in the tank and for evacuating from thetank such foreign fluids as water.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved means forpreventing the lling of the tank above 'a predetermined level.

with which the present invention is concerned,

is preferably a hydrocarbon of the paramn series, such as butane orpropane, or a mixture of both, and the fuel is preferabLv stored in anunderground tank in the form of a liqueiied gas which, with theassistance of the heat of the earth and reduction in pressure isvaporized for use in a dwelling as a substitute for natural gas.

One way of vaporizing the liqueed gas is the so-called batch system inwhich the vaporization is carried on in the storage tank and vapor iswithdrawn in the form of gas from the tank. The other way of vaporizingthe liqueiied gas is the so-called ash system in which the liquefied gasis withdrawn as a liquid from the tank and passed through a pressurereducing regulator which causes the liquid to iiash into vapor.

Wherever the vaporization takes place, heat units are absorbed fromsurrounding parts, and, in the batch system,lthis refrigerating actionis largely expended in the tank, whereas with the flash system, the heatabsorption is concentrated in a comparatively small space, namely aroundthe pressure reducing device and adjacent parts.

Although the present invention will improve vaporization and operatingconditions for both systems, it is primarily of interest with the flashsystems having for one of its objects the adaptation of the ash processto take advantage of the benefits derived with batch systems in thatlatent heat of vaporization is supplied from the warmth of the liquidcontents in the tank as in the case of batch vaporization.

A further object of the invention is to prevent frosting ofthe body ofthe regulator in which the ash vaporization takes place. In this.connection, another object of the invention is to submerge in ananti-freeze solution, those parts of the regulator which are subject tothe refrigerating effect which follows the absorption of the latent heatof vaporization that accompanies pres- Y sure reduction.

Another object of the invention is to circulate an anti-freeze liquidconvectively in heat exchange contact with the rst stage regulator and asource of heat, in this instance the'source of heat preferably being theheat of the earth.

A further purpose of the invention is to vent the regulator to the sameanti-freeze liquid which conveys heat to the regulator. Y

Another object of the invention is to place a ash regulator in contactwith a liquid exposed to a source of heat such as the earth over an areagreatly in excess of the area of the regulator.

v Another object of the invention is to provide A further object of theinvention is to provide an improved shutoff control for the gas supplyleading from the tank which is not exposed to atmospheric temperatures.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide a dispensing system ofthe class described where, under normally expected conditions of heavywithdrawal, a revaporizer is not needed, yet without changing thegeneral organization of standardized parts a` revaporizer may be usedwhere extra heavy withdrawals of gas are anticipated and condensation islikely to be incurred.

A further purpose of the inventionis to provide a rugged, unitary tankassembly which is simple in constructon, easy to make, readily placed inoperation and serviced.

These being among the objects of the invention, other and furtherobjects will become apparent from the drawings, the description relatingthereto and the appended claims.

Referring now to the drawings: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectiontaken longitudinally lthrough the tank, standpipe and eductioncavityiillustrating one of the improved embodiments of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the standpipe illustrated in Fig. l showing thearrangement of the various elements thereon as projected upon theassociated parts in the tank which are indicated in broken I lines.

Fig. 3 is an elevational view partly in section of an improved -form ofa means for preventing the lling of atank above a predetermined level.

Fig. 4 is anv enlarged vertical section showing the relative location'ofthe elements associated with the standpipe.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the top of thev standpipe.

As already mentioned, the invention ization'where a liqueiied gas isforced froma where it is reduced vto a service pressure of 6 ounces persquare inch. In the drawing, a Stor-5;I age tank is indicated at I I asburied in theearthlf I2, below the irost line I3 normally expected tov iexist in the region where the installation is made.

Tank construction The tank comprises a cylindrical centxal w is illus.trated in connection with a flash system of vapor-v I4 apertured on thetop at i5 to receive the standpipe which is welded therein as by a weldline l1. On its bottom, the shell I4 is provided with an opening I8 thatpartially overlaps a vertical projection of the opening I5, and theopening I8 is closed by a cup 2l welded thereto as at 22 to provide asump 23. A support 24 for the revaporization coil 25 is welded upon theinside of the shell I4 asat 28 and for purposes of installing thetankproperly in place so that the sump 28 works most effectively, thestandpipe I8 is so positioned as to provide an angle at 21 which isslightly in excess of a right angle. When the tank is buried, theplumbing of the standpipe I8 will assure that any water collecting inthe tank will lie to the right of the sump 23 until such time as theamount of water will exceed a depth of 1" or 1%" after which it will nowinto the sump 23, the excess collecting there over and above thatexpected to be present after the tank has been tested hydraulically inits pressure test.

Both ends of the cylindrical shell are closed by caps 3| and 32 securedby welds 33. The cap is apertured as at 34 to receive the well member 35welded therein as at 38 to provide a cavity 31 in the tank, and the tankis preferably constructed and assembled in this order.

Standpipe construction The standpipe I8 comprises a cylindrical casing38 closed at the top by a wall 4| spaced from the top 42 a sumcientdistance to provide a recess 43 therein. Y

Referring to Figs. 2, 4 and 5, a slip tube gauge 44 is threaded into anopening 45 in the wall 4|.

The gauge 44 extends downwardly and its lower end 48 enters the sump 23at the bottom of the tank Il. The lower end 48 is provided with a stop41 which prevents complete removal of the slip tube gauge and inaddition to the slip tube gauge functioning in the conventional mannerto determine the level of the liquid in the tank, the stop 41 has anopening 5| therein with the mouth of the opening close to the bottom ofthe sump 23 so that wat'er present in the sump will be evacuated throughthe slip tube gauge whenever the slip tube gauge is all the way down andthe top is vented in the same manner in which the slip tube is employedas a gauge. The slip tube gauge would be left open as long as it was`discharging water and could be closed again whenever liqueiled gas beganto flow.

The tank is filled through a ill pipe indicated at 52 as secured in thethreaded opening 53. The ll pipe is so constructed and arranged that itcan be completely assembled outside the tank and inserted into place inthe standpipe I8 through the opening 53. The top of the fill pipe 52 isprovided With a back pressure check valve which is opened by thepressure forcing liquid into the tank and the bottom 54 thereof isthreaded at 55, as more particularly shown in Fig. 3, to receive ailtting 58 having a discharge opening 51 in the side thereof and a iiapshuto valve 58 pivoted as at 6I on the bottom and outside thereof whereit is easily assembled.

The flap valve 58 is held normalLv opened by a weight 82 upon the otherend of a curved arm 83 which extends through the opening 51 to controlthe movement of the valve 58. A recess 84 protected by a shielding lip85 receives the flap valve 58 in one side of the fitting 58 where it isprotected against a closing action of the flow of liquid passing downthe pipe. through the openrelated that an Yappreciable upward pressureupon the weight 82 will cause the ilapvalve 88 to leave the recess 84and enter the path of the incoming uid. The flowing fluid then entersth'e cavity 84 and forces or causes the valve to'elose under thepressure of the incoming fluid. When closed the valve positively stopsthe flow of liquid into the tankinamannerpreventingthefillingofthe tankabove a predetermined level. A valve acl0 tuating means that isresponsive to' the level of the liquid in the tank, such as a float 88is employed to actuate the valve at the proper time in the illlingoperation.

In order to actuate the valve 88 the float 88 is u mounted upon an arm81 which is pivotally n determined safe filling level.

Although in less expensive installation, the oat 88 might serve as aweight, it is preferred that the weight 82 be provided and be movableseparate from the float away from the arm 81 when the flap u valve 58 isclosed. In this way there is no straining of parts when the valve 88 isclosed quickly by the incoming liquid and once the liquid supply lineisturned off at the service tank, a vent-hole 1| will permit the liquid todrain through the flap u valve and permit the weight 82 to reopen thevalve 58.

It is preferred that the opening 81 be directed towards the left end ofthe tank as shown in Fig. 1 whereby the eddy current developed by the 35incoming liquid will tend to keep any water resulting from condensationin the tank away from the liquid eduction tube 18.

In this way a positive shutoff is provided to prevent an overillling ofthe tank, thereby avoiding 40 the deficiencies of conventional practicein which vapor return gauges are inadequate due to the peculiar natureof the liquefied petroleum gas. With certain conventional devices thecontinuanceofflllingpressuresinthetankcausesa a liquecation ofthe gasesalready there and the levetl continues to rise 'regardless of a dip tubeven Although a vapor return connection is not entirely necessary, one isshown at 12 as threaded into an opening 13 in the wall 4|. A safetycheck valve (not shown) is provided in the vapor return 12 which isopened when the nomle of the vapor return base is connected thereto.

AA pressure gauge 14 and a safety relief valve u 88 are mounted upon thewall 4| and also a shaft 15 which can be manually turned by the wingedhandle 18 to control the passage of liquid through the eduction pipe 18,more specifically described hereinafter.

.o The lower end of the shaft 15 is provided with a wrench socket 18having a flared mouth 8| which serves as a guide to engage with thevalve shaft 82 which controls the operation of the eduction tube 18.

u When the tank is buried in the ground, the

upper part of the standpipe I8 is located in a concrete box or vault 83having a cover plate 84 secured thereto by bolts 85. The cover 84 sealsthe space 88 and a vent 81 is provided for free 70 venting of the vaultto atmosphere in the event the safety relief valve is called upon tofunction. In order to prevent water from collecting in the recess 43 atthe top of the standpipe the walls of the standpipe are drilled as at 88just above the ing 81. The valve 88 and the weight 82 are so 75 wall 4|to drain water collecting in the recess 43.

with gas burning'lapplianzc'e Assemb I *y y Inassembling 4theeductiomcavityallthe parts)` are assembledthereto land *the unit istheng-m-L. L ber 'ca y serted into .the/opening-34l and Vwelded'inlplace kby n is .pref'erfea ffhatv-the'vawe, masser be negar-:4.o theWeldffline "3 after- -lwhich' the Vvalve COHtf-Ol-f tive openingrgais'te'w'f thel nd'idgss'on w shaft I5-*1s inserted :andfloweredtoiengage the,l that; thvvalve .cmatmetrflgablcatdw a socket-z18foverthe:valve shaft182: andzi'sguided by upon the pres's'uresideofthevalve.Tethre* the engagement 019th?latter'*Withthe'nared' is nol rneedl'forpacking,fyihefthejalye 'Stemisz mouth 8LA .'The-.mechanicrcanz seetofdofthisuby I is threaded through thewawejcap- .HIM-spat "z 35looking;through the relativelyylargefopening53.-

an excessive amount of water is 4presenizalt mvav g thtFlnonbetweetheoat jl one time aroundwthe First stage feauldtgrcomprises-a ing the further ilow of liquid gas to the tank and assuringthat the tank will not be filled above a predetermined level.

During or after the filling operation the valve |03 may be opened toplace the tank in operation. Thereafter liquefied gas will ilow to thefirst stage regulator and be there reduced in pressure andsimultaneously supplied with heat from the liquid body in which theregulator body is submerged.

The heat absorbed from the liquid body is replaced convectively throughthe walls of the cavity 31 (Fig. 1). As heat is absorbed in thisrelationship the'body of liquid in the tank replaces it with heatabsorbed from the earth.

Thus, it will be seen with the present construction that heat units aresupplied directly in a new and improved manner to that part of thesystem, namely the ilrst stage regulator, where the greatestrefrigerating effect is experienced.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes,modifications and alterations may be made without departing from thespirit of the invention, the scope of which is commensurate with theclaims. v

What is claimed is:

1. In a liqueed petroleum gas system a storage tank having an openingtherein, means for lling the tank including an inlet passageway, meansfor controlling the ow of fluid through the passageway comprising anormally open cut-off valv, a iioat in the tank having allcross-sectional dimensions slightly less than the diameter of saidopening and means operated by the float to close the valve when apredetermined lev'el is reached in the tank, said controlling means,float and oat operated means comprising an assembly insertable into thetank through said opening, and means for mounting the assembly in sealedrelationship with respect to said opening.

2. In a liqueed petroleum gas system, a storage tank, means for llingthe tank including' a conduit, means for controlling the how of fluidthrough the conduit comprising a valve seat facing upstream, a valvemember closing with the flow of iiuid, a recess means in the conduit toreceive the valve member laterally of the path of iiuid iiow, and meansresponsive to the level of the liquid for moving the valve member fromthe recess means to a position where it will close with the flow ofliquid.

3. In a liquefied petroleum gas system, a stor age tank, means forfilling the tank including a conduit, means for controlling the iiow offluid through the conduit comprising a valve seat facing upstream, avalve member closing with the ow of fluid, a recess means in the conduitto receive the valve member laterally in the conduit and meansresponsive to the level of the liquid for moving the valve member intoposition where it will close with the flow of liquid.

4. In a liqueed petroleum gas system, a storage tank adapted to beburied in the ground below the frost line, a standpipe in communicationwith the tank and adapted to extend upward to a peint readily accessiblefrom above the ground when the tank is buried, means for iilling thetank including an inlet passageway, means for controlling the flow offluid through the passageway comprising a valve body insertable throughthe standpipe and -having a valve seat facing upstream, a valve memberclosing with the iiow of iiuid, and means responsive .to the level ofthe ing said riser pipe at the top thereof, said element having anopening therein smaller than the inside diameter of the riser pipe, anlling assembly removably extending into theriser pipe through theopening in said element closing the top of said riser pipe, saidassembly including a discharge fitting, a positive shutoff valve in saidtting, and means received in the tank and responsive to the level of theliquid in the tank for closing the valv at a predetermined level.

6. In a liqueed petroleum gas system, a storage tank having an openingtherein, a illling assembly removably extending through said openinginto said tank, said assembly including a discharge tting, a positiveshutoff valve in said tting, and means carried by said tting responsiveto the level of the liquid in the tank for closing the valve at apredetermined level, said assembly and associated responsive meanshaving an overall cross-sectional dimension capable of being received inan opening restricted substantially to a size suillcient to receive saidresponsive means.

7. VIn a liqueed petroleum gas system, a stor.

age tank buried in the ground and having a riser thereon, said riserhaving an opening in the upper end thereof accessible from above ground,lling means removably extending through said opening, said meansincluding a conduit and said lling means also including an assemblymounted upon said conduit, said assembly comprising a positive shutoffvalve for closing said conduit, and means responsive to the level ofliquid in the tank for closing said valve when the liquid in the tankreaches a predetermined level.

8. In a liquefied petroleum gas system a storage tank having a riserpipe, means for illling the tank through the riser pipe including anelement having a passageway, means for controlling the flow of fluidthrough the passage comprising a cutoff valve. a float in the tankcarried by said element, and means actuated by the iloat to close thevalve when a predetermined level is reached in the tank.

9. In a liquefied petroleum gas system a storage tank having an openingthrough a wall thereof, a iilling conduit removably extending throughsaid opening, an assembly mounted on said conhaving another openingtherein, a lling assembly removably extending into said tank throughsaid othel` opening in said element, said assembly including a dischargefitting, a positive shutoff valve in said fitting, and means received inthe tank through said other opening and responsive to the level ofliquid in the tank for actuating the valve at a predetermined level.

HAROLD L. NORWAY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent:

, UNITED STATES PATENTS Number liquid in the tank for actuating thevalve member. Name Date ,K 5. In a liquefied petroleum gas system, astor- 2,121.675 White June 21, 1938 age tank having a riser pipe and anelement clos- 75 2,230,741 Browning Feb. 4', 194

